Police have instructed the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party not to bus its supporters to one of its rallies at an open ground near Nyajena Primary School in Masvingo slated for Saturday.
This restriction comes despite the fact that the ruling party Zanu PF has been bussing supporters to give the image of widespread support throughout the country, which critics have termed as ‘rigging’ the electorate’s opinion.
Zanu PF has put on a show of force over the years, demonstrating its ability to pack supporters into rallies, particularly in rural areas where the ruling party maintains dominance by busing people.
In a communication to CCC organiser Ellson Mutonhori in Masvingo West, police in Masvingo Central stated the opposition party could proceed with their campaign rally subject to tight guidelines such as not bussing people and also prohibited its supporters from toyi-toying outside the venue.
“Your members shall not be involved in toy-toying outside the venue. There shall be no convoying of plateless vehicles. No chanting of party slogans, singing, shouting, hateful and defaming information on the streets or outside the venue,” said the police in a memo dated July 6, 2023.
The police also advised CCC organisers to not intimidate passers-by and those who have nothing to do with their rally.
“You shall not block the thoroughfares and barricade the roads around the venue. You are encouraged to cooperate with all government agencies. Make sure that there should be enough sanitary for example toilets, water points at your venue. Stick to dates and times you booked. No busing of people to the venue,” instructed the police.
Observers, on the other hand, have noted how Zanu PF has bused people to its rallies held so far, as shown at its recent star rally at Nyele Primary in Bulilima Matabeleland South where busloads of people were delivered to the venue.
At the venue, Zanu PF treated these people to packs fast food (Chicken Inn and Chicken Slice), drinks and party regalia.
Before the Bulilima rally, Zanu PF had also bussed people to Chipinge, for the launch of its election manifesto at Mutema Secondary in Musikavanhu Constituency where its candidates from across the country were in attendance.
Meanwhile in Bulawayo, scores of people intending to board ZUPCO buses having pre-booked buses were left stranded on Wednesday following the public transport utility’s controversial decision to suspend all services on major routes and deploy the buses to Zanu PF rallies.
